Al-Budaiwi says Gulf countries believe in multilateralism and partnerships with the US and China ‘GCC remains a bridge for peace and cooperation in the region,’ he adds Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that Arab Gulf countries are committed to the promotion of dialogue and diplomacy in the region despite fierce competition between China and the US. Al-Budaiwi emphasized that the GCC remains a bridge for peace and cooperation in the region. His remarks came during the 22nd edition of the Doha Forum in Qatar on Sunday in a session about increased China-US rivalry and the future of security cooperation in the Middle East, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Budaiwi confirmed that GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, believe in multilateralism, cooperation, and balanced partnerships with the US, China and other global powers “to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the region and beyond.” He said the GCC countries enjoy close relations with the US but also signed partnerships with China in various fields, including free trade agreements. The GCC’s vision and role in achieving regional security will benefit from cooperation with China and the US, according to Al-Budaiwi, to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, technological innovation, and economic diversification in the Gulf region.